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Banana

How to identify Banana (Musa balbisiana)

Banana

Banana is an herbaceous perennial with long, sturdy pseudostems that typically grow over 10 feet (3 meters) tall. The foliage consists of broad, elongated leaves reaching lengths of nearly 9 feet (2.7 meters), with a central midrib and parallel veining. These leaves unfurl from the top of the pseudostem in a spiral arrangement, creating a gracefully arching canopy. The inflorescence is a large, pendulous spike with numerous purple-tinged bracts that shelter rows of flowers, which, if pollinated, develop into clusters of elongated fruits.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Banana

1

Pseudostems reach over 10 feet (3 meters) tall.

2

Leaves are up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) long and 2 feet (60 cm) wide, with a central midrib and parallel veins.

3

Leaves unfurl in a spiral arrangement, creating a gracefully arching canopy.

4

Leaves have a glossy texture with a slightly waxy surface and smooth margins.

5

In windy conditions, leaves can split along the veins, giving a shredded appearance.

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Detailed Traits of Banana

Leaf Features

The leaves of banana are large and elongated, measuring up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) in length and 2 feet (60 cm) in width. They are vibrant green with a glossy texture and a slightly waxy surface. The leaves have a distinct, prominent midrib with parallel veins running towards the edges. They are typically oblong with smooth margins and can split easily along the veins in windy conditions, giving a shredded appearance.

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Banana and Their Similar Plants

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Edible banana vs. Banana: What's The Difference?
Edible banana (Musa acuminata) is an edible evergreen perennial plant native to Southwest Asia. Some people may perceive edible banana to be a tree, but it is a perennial plant. Edible banana is one of the earlier domesticated plants by humans in the history of evolution. The cultivation of these plants for fruit is a major industry. They are also cultivated as ornamental plants.
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Hardy banana vs. Banana: What's The Difference?
Hardy banana (Musa basjoo) is a cold-hardy banana plant that produces inedible bananas, but is prized for its ornamental foliage. Native to Japan, it can grow in North America as far north as New England if it's mulched to keep its roots warm.
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Pink banana is a wild banana species that is thought to be a trendy ornamental plant due to its unusual vibrant pink bananas and luscious green leaves. It is grown in indoor spaces such as greenhouses and conservatories in colder climates and outdoors in warmer regions.
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Flowering banana vs. Banana: What's The Difference?
Musa ornata belongs to the Musa section Rhodochlamys. Rhodochlamys is one of the four sections into which the genus Musa is divided (the others being Australimusa, Callimusa and Eumusa, which is sometimes called Musa). As a member of Rhodochlamys, M. ornata has a basic chromosome number of 2n = 22 compared with 2n = 20 of the Australimusa and Callimusa. Plants of this section are known for their brightly colored bracts. The true M. ornata is found in India and is a small species. From its home in India it reached Central and South America early in the 19th century where it became naturalized. M. ornata is not an especially variable plant in itself but it hybridizes freely with other species. The result is that there are a number of hybrids derived from it in the tropical regions of America. Plants grow to a height of 5 to 10 ft (1.5 to 3.0 m). The plants have green foliage with pink tones throughout. The leaves can grow to be 6 ft (1.8 m) long, 14 inches (360 mm) wide and can be used for tropical cut flower arrangements. It produces pink flowers and small, dark pink or crimson fruit. The fruit type is a banana that is seeded and inedible. Musa ornata is a yellow-orange inflorence whose male and female flowers both tend to be 3-5 per bract in a single row, varying up to about 7 per cluster. The anthers of the male flowers are purple while the female style is green.
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Key Facts About Banana

Attributes of Banana
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
6 m
Spread
3 m
Leaf Color
Green
Flower Size
30 cm to 40 cm
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Scientific Classification of Banana

Family
Banana
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Genus
Musa
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Species
Banana (Musa balbisiana)
Learn More About the Banana

Distribution Map of Banana

Banana is a plant species with a natural range spanning Southeast Asia and parts of East and South Asia. It has been introduced to various tropical regions across the globe. While native to large areas of Asia, banana has also been successfully cultivated in various locales where it was introduced, adapting well to tropical climates.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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